In
1963, the church undertook a campaign chaired by John Davidson, Sr. to install
a 63 rank (3979 pipes), four manual Austin Pipe Organ. The vision of the organ committee empowered
the congregation’s worship in a manner which helped see the church through
changing years. Their decision was far
less concerned with the incursion of a large capital expense than it was with
the worship and ministry they hoped to enable and perpetuate. They believed that the organ could be one of
the more dynamic pillars in the house of faith they sought to grow.
The
organ was designed by then organist Ken Simmons (organist at WPC 1953-67) along
with Brant Duddy. It was dedicated in
two concerts by Robert Baker and Robert Elmore.
An antiphonal organ under expression of 24 ranks was added in 1985 in
the second floor of the church tower.
David Spicer (organist at WPC 1967-82) negotiated this addition. The antiphonal stops were added as an
appendage to the original 1963 console which was actually prepared for a
completely different antiphonal envisioned by the organ committee. A rank of horizontal trumpets was installed
in the early 1980’s in honor of Spicer. The
organ as it now stand is 5206 pipes.
In
2000, the organ was completely cleaned, the reeds reworked by David Broome of Connecticut, and the
flues re-voiced by Fred Heffner. In
2001, WPC purchased a 1982 4-manual Austin draw-knob console from First Presbyterian in Philadelphia. Then in 2003, a campaign chaired by Russ
Brundage was undertaken by the music department to replace the original 1963
console with a new state of the art console.
It was built inside the frame of the console purchased from First
Presbyterian Church by Brant Duddy. The
funds for this project were contributed solely by the participants of the music
program. The congregation at large was
not solicited and did not participate.
Brant
Duddy was the Austin
representative that sold the church the organ in 1963. He has serviced and maintained the organ for
its entire history.
To view the organ specifications, click here.